Logistics, one of the Lawrence family's main businesses, has quickly become the largest logistics market in Santa Fe thanks to a significant capital investment.
The Lawrence Group owns the largest logistics warehouse in western Santa Fe. Countless containers arrive daily and are shipped to ports all over the world. The daily profits are enough for an average person to live a life of luxury.
Outside the busy warehouse, two loaded trucks are parked. Three imposing-looking men wait silently beside them.
"This cargo is very important. Be careful and don't let anything go wrong," said Conrad, cigarette in hand, turning to his two companions. "If anything goes wrong, not even the three of us together can cover the cost!"
Samuel, the driver, and Josh, the security guard, nodded silently. Years of working together had accustomed them to Conrad's orders.
After all, this guy was a mercenary. After successfully completing numerous dangerous missions in tropical jungles and deserts, he could easily subdue them by himself.
"Aren't we leaving yet?" asked Josh, a tall, thin man in a light bulletproof vest. "We've been waiting here for quite a while."
"Wait a little longer. Chris told us to wait for him to arrive before we leave." Conrad threw down his cigarette indifferently and stamped it out forcefully.
"Alright, they're coming," he said, smoothing his clothes and walking toward Chris as he emerged.
However, he noticed that Chris was accompanied by a bearded old man.
"Anything else, Mr. Chris? We are ready," Conrad said, smiling.
Chris did not answer directly, but turned to Logan, who was beside him, and introduced him: "This is Conrad, he was a mercenary and has great combat skill."
As he said that, he turned his head to look at the driver on the other side: "This is Samuel, he has excellent driving skills; even on the roughest mountain roads, he can let you sleep soundly in the truck."
"And Josh, he's skilled in assembling various firearms, and his driving is also surprisingly good. He is the driver of the second truck."
Logan was still wearing his cheap suit. He looked at the three people in front of him and nodded slightly: "Hello."
Chris smiled, pointed to Logan, and introduced him: "This is Mr. James. He will complete the mission with you. I hope you can have a pleasant collaboration. By the way, if any problems arise on the road, you must follow James's instructions."
"Him?"
Conrad looked at Logan in surprise. "He looks at least sixty, Mr. Chris, are you sure you're not joking?"
"Of course not," Chris said in an unequivocal tone. "I trust my judgment. Mr. James will be a good leader. If you want the money, you had better do what I say."
Faced with the money, Conrad chose silence. He merely looked Logan up and down, frowning, clearly reluctant to obey the old man's orders.
"Alright, let's go. I hope you have a good trip," Chris smiled, motioning towards the trucks.
Logan said nothing, heading to the passenger seat of the first truck.
The others said no more and got into their trucks.
Before Josh turned away, Chris pulled him aside and whispered: "Keep an eye on James along the way. He is not trustworthy. If he makes any unusual move, I don't care if you bring him back. But be careful. If you do, make sure to land a lethal blow. He is a dangerous man."
Josh glanced sideways at Chris's threatening eyes, then looked back at Logan, who had already climbed into the truck. He nodded silently and got in.
Two trucks left the warehouse, one after the other, heading toward the desert road.
Logan silently watched the endless desert expanse outside the window.
This time, their destination was Las Vegas, Nevada, far from Texas. It was also the first time Logan had left San Antonio, or Texas. He had been in San Antonio for so long that he had almost forgotten what the outside world was like.
He had assumed he would remain isolated there until he earned enough money to take the Professor to sea. Unexpectedly, he had left this arid desert prematurely for $20,000. Looking at the landscape outside the window, Logan's expression was complex, a rush of emotion washing over him. He let out a long sigh.
"Want a smoke?" Samuel suddenly offered him a cigarette. He already had one between his lips; the puff of smoke instantly scattered with the wind.
"Thanks." Logan took the cigarette, lit it with the lighter, and took a deep breath; the smoke dispersed with the wind.
"Is this your first escort mission, right?" Samuel asked, driving the car.
"Yes," Logan nodded.
"Haha, you've taken Conrad's team leader spot. That guy is going to be mad. Be careful, he's not someone you want to mess with."
Samuel spoke naturally, cigarette in one hand and the steering wheel in the other.
Logan looked at him in surprise.
"I'm only interested in the money, nothing else," Logan replied indifferently. He just wanted to earn money and leave; being the team leader wasn't something he cared about.
"Who among us isn't after money?" Samuel asked with a smile, shaking his head. "But for people like us, at most, we can only earn money through hard work. If we want to earn more dollars, we have to get into the Lawrence family. Once we set foot there, we escape the low-class and enter the high-class."
"Conrad wants to get into the Lawrence family?"
Logan looked in the rearview mirror at the truck behind him, suddenly realizing why Conrad cared so much about the leader position.
Samuel nodded: "Sure, that guy is very ambitious, and since the team can complete the mission with excellence, Chris and the others will naturally give the credit to the leader, so Conrad usually takes the position very seriously."
"In short, you need to be careful. To get the leader position, he might try every means to criticize you, or even deliberately cause trouble to delay or fail the mission, to prove that he is the better option and that Chris and the others should pay more attention to him."
Samuel might not want anything to go wrong during the mission, or he might be asking Logan to be careful of Conrad out of kindness.
"Thanks for the reminder." Logan nodded indifferently. He didn't care about Conrad's potential threat.
Samuel smiled: "Don't thank me. If there's any problem with the mission, my bonus will be reduced. I hope this trip is safe." As they chatted, the vehicle arrived at the Texas border checkpoint.
As a federal country, each state has its own laws, and interstate travel requires official documentation.
That's why Logan rarely left Texas after entering. As a wanted criminal, he obviously couldn't obtain documentation through formal channels.
However, it was clear that the Lawrence family had already established a network of contacts there.
The truck, bearing the Lawrence family markings, didn't even need to stop at the checkpoint; it drove through unobstructed and successfully crossed the Texas border.
As Chris had said, it was a very long trip. Nevada was far from San Antonio, and by the time the sun set, they were only halfway there.
However, after leaving San Antonio, the original desert gradually faded, and lush vegetation began to appear on both sides of the road. The route they had chosen was a forest road that ended in a small town. The convoy had to cross the town before entering the new highway.
"Let's take turns driving tonight. I don't want to waste time on the road."
Logan looked at the gradually darkening sky and turned to look at Samuel.
The longer they lingered on the road, the more things could happen, and Logan didn't want to see any accidents.
"Agreed." Samuel obviously didn't mind driving all night. He picked up the walkie-talkie and said, "I'll tell them." However, as soon as he finished speaking, Samuel's face suddenly froze as he looked in the rearview mirror. "Wait! Where are they going?"
Logan quickly looked in the rearview mirror, only to see the truck following them suddenly turn and stop in front of a bar.
"Stop and let's take a look!" Logan ordered.
Samuel hastily pulled the truck over.
At that moment, Conrad and Josh, who were behind, had also gotten out and were about to enter the bar.
Logan stepped forward to block their path. "What are you doing? Did I say we were stopping?"
Conrad looked at Logan and said disdainfully: "Old man, I don't care what you think, but I need a rest. If you want to leave, go alone. We need to have a few drinks here and get going tomorrow morning!"
Logan frowned and said in an ill-tempered voice: "I said, get back in the truck and let's go now!"
Conrad merely glared at Logan, snorted coldly, and strode forward purposefully. He shoved past him with his shoulder and entered the bar.